How do you decide which sixth form schools are best?

We combine official A-Level performance data, Oxbridge placement statistics, and Ofsted ratings to highlight consistent academic excellence. Use filters to personalise results based on your subject interests and goals.

Are all Bedford neighbourhoods included?

Yes. We group schools by their locality field so you can quickly scan areas and their nearby sixth form options. All sections are expanded by default on this page.

What makes a good sixth form school?

Strong A-Level performance (high percentage of A*/A grades), good university placement record (including Oxbridge), excellent Ofsted rating, and a wide range of subject offerings are key indicators of quality sixth form education.

2025 Best Sixth Form Schools in Bedford Area

Ampthill is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#4	Redborne Upper School and Community College	State	Secondary & Post-16	13-18 years	Mixed	None	Good

Redborne Upper School and Community College#4

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 13-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

Bedford is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
N/A	KWS School	Independent	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Information not available

KWS SchoolN/A

School Type: Independent

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Information not available

Biddenham is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#8	Biddenham International School and Sports College	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Good

Biddenham International School and Sports College#8

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

Cardington is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#3	Bedford Girls' School	Independent	All-through	7-18 years	Girls	None	Not inspected by Ofsted

Bedford Girls' School#3

School Type: Independent

Phase: All-through

Age Range: 7-18 years

Gender: Girls

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Not inspected by Ofsted

Castle Newnham is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
N/A	Castle Newnham School, Polhill Avenue	State	Secondary	11-16 years	Mixed	None	Good

Castle Newnham School, Polhill AvenueN/A

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary

Age Range: 11-16 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

De Parys is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#2	Bedford School	Independent	All-through	7-18+ years	Boys	Church of England	Not inspected by Ofsted

Bedford School#2

School Type: Independent

Phase: All-through

Age Range: 7-18+ years

Gender: Boys

Religious Character: Church of England

Ofsted: Not inspected by Ofsted

Kempston is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#7	St Thomas More Catholic School, Bedford	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	Catholic	Good
#9	Bedford Academy	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Good
#13	Kempston Academy	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Good
N/A	Ridgeway School	State	Not Applicable	2-18+ years	Mixed	None	Good
N/A	St John's School, Bedford	State	Not Applicable	2-18+ years	Mixed	None	Good
N/A	Rivertree Free School	State	Not Applicable	2-11 years	Mixed	None	No Ofsted graded rating yet

St Thomas More Catholic School, Bedford#7

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: Catholic

Ofsted: Good

Bedford Academy#9

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

Kempston Academy#13

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

Ridgeway SchoolN/A

School Type: State

Phase: Not Applicable

Age Range: 2-18+ years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

St John's School, BedfordN/A

School Type: State

Phase: Not Applicable

Age Range: 2-18+ years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

Rivertree Free SchoolN/A

School Type: State

Phase: Not Applicable

Age Range: 2-11 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: No Ofsted graded rating yet

Manton Heights is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#1	Bedford Modern School	Independent	All-through	7-18 years	Mixed	None	Not inspected by Ofsted
#10	Bedford Greenacre Independent School	Independent	All-through	0-18 years	Mixed	None	Not inspected by Ofsted

Bedford Modern School#1

School Type: Independent

Phase: All-through

Age Range: 7-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Not inspected by Ofsted

Bedford Greenacre Independent School#10

School Type: Independent

Phase: All-through

Age Range: 0-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Not inspected by Ofsted

Sharnbrook is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#6	Sharnbrook Academy	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Requires Improvement

Sharnbrook Academy#6

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Requires Improvement

Stewartby is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#5	Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College	State	Post-16	16-18+ years	Mixed	None	Information not available

Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College#5

School Type: State

Phase: Post-16

Age Range: 16-18+ years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Information not available

Wixams is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
#11	Wixams Academy	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18+ years	Mixed	None	Requires Improvement
#12	Mark Rutherford School	State	Secondary & Post-16	11-18 years	Mixed	None	Requires Improvement

Wixams Academy#11

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18+ years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Requires Improvement

Mark Rutherford School#12

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 11-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Requires Improvement

Wootton is a popular area within the Bedford region, offering sixth form students access to quality A-Level education. Local schools serve students from across Bedford and surrounding areas, with many offering specialized subject pathways and university preparation programs.

Local Rank	School	Type	Phase	Age Range	Gender	Religious	Ofsted
N/A	Wootton Upper School	State	Secondary & Post-16	13-18 years	Mixed	None	Good

Wootton Upper SchoolN/A

School Type: State

Phase: Secondary & Post-16

Age Range: 13-18 years

Gender: Mixed

Religious Character: None

Ofsted: Good

2025 Best Sixth Form Schools in Bedford Area

School Type

Ofsted Rating

Religious Character

Gender

School Features

Other Institutions

Age Range

Top Sixth Form Schools in Bedford

Bedford Modern School

Bedford School

Bedford Girls' School

Redborne Upper School and Community College

Sharnbrook Academy

St Thomas More Catholic School, Bedford

Biddenham International School and Sports College

Bedford Greenacre Independent School

Bedford Academy

Map of Sixth Form Schools in Bedford

Neighbourhoods in Bedford

FAQs